CARTOON NETWORK STUDIOS PARTNERS WITH ACADEMY AWARD(R)-WINNING FILMMAKER MATTHEW A. CHERRY AND AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR CHAZ BOTTOMS TO DEVELOP "BATTU"

Kids and Family Animated Musical Comedy Series Celebrates the Creative Arts Culture of Chicago Set to a Sonic Landscape Inspired by Hip-Hop Beats and Classical Broadway Melodies

Burbank, CA (July 14, 2021) - Cartoon Network Studios (CNS), Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Matthew A. Cherry (Hair Love) and award-winning director, animator, and writer Chaz Bottoms (Dear John: Legendary Love Letters) have begun development on Battu, a coming-of-age musical comedy series about a young group of misfit dreamers who move to their own beat.

From the French ballet term meaning beat, Battu follows teenagers Otis and Jada - two gifted dancers in Chicago whose free-spirit and individuality often leave them as outsiders in the rigid world of mainstream dance. Together they find a home at a struggling hiplet (a style of dance combining hip-hop and ballet) studio and a family among the studio's troupe of dancers and instructors. Embracing the vibrant Chicago music scene, the soundtrack of the series will feature original music and punctuate the stories of our characters which will explore themes such as courage, self-empowerment, inclusiveness, perseverance, and the power of friendship. The project is based on Bottoms' animated short film Battu: An Animated Musical that is currently in production.

Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios said: "Battu is unlike anything we have ever tried at the studio. This ambitious project brings together and celebrates two of our greatest storytelling mediums - animation and music. Matthew and Chaz are our perfect dance partners as we strive to tell authentic stories that both empower and entertain."

Matthew A. Cherry said: "Chaz is one of the most exciting young voices in animation and we are thrilled to be working with Sam Register, Nicole Rivera and the rest of the Cartoon Network Studios team to develop Battu."

Chaz Bottoms said: "I grew up on a healthy diet of Cartoon Network shows and to be working with them on Battu is a dream come true! This project is my love letter to the city of Chicago, animation, and musicals."

Battu will be produced by Cartoon Network Studios. Sam Register, Matthew A. Cherry, Chaz Bottoms and Monica A. Young (Hair Love) serve as executive producers.

Chaz Bottoms is represented by Monica A. Young at Blue Key Management, Ava Greenfield of ICM Partners and Attorney Gregg Gellman of Morris Yorn.

About Cartoon Network Studios

Established in 2000, Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) is a global animation and interactive studio recognized for its innovative approaches to IP development and world-building. Fostering a creator-driven environment, CNS is home to hundreds of visual artists who have been a part of the studio's many critically acclaimed and groundbreaking animated series including Adventure Time, Craig of the Creek, Steven Universe, Summer Camp Island, The Powerpuff Girls, and We Bare Bears. CNS has also produced notable Adult Swim hits such as Primal, Samurai Jack, and Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law.

CNS has been honored with multiple awards and accolades including: Emmy(R), Peabody, GLAAD and Annie Awards. Internationally, the studio also garnered the BAFTA Children's Award, Italy's prestigious Pulcinella Award and Annecy Festival's Cristal Award. Currently, CNS houses a VR lab, and produces an array of interactive formats and products for youth and young adult audiences around the world. As part of its ongoing efforts to discover unique and promising voices everywhere, the studio has a robust global Artist Program and has numerous partnerships, including Exceptional Minds, Black Women Animate and California Institute of the Arts.